Around the Bay 30k - Run30k

A big PB for me. I did this race last year as part of my marathon training. This year, i planned on this being my A running race since I need to focus on swim/bike in prep for my first triathlon season. I was familiar with the course and it's challenges. I also have to mention how popular this race is as it sold out about two months in advance.
My last effort here at ATB was 3:04 and at another 30k last summer i set a PR of 2:55. Based on my training I was aiming for around 2:50.
We made our way to the start where it was drizzling very lightly. I didnt bother with a garbage bag or anything but many people did. We saw the 3:00 pace bunny and decided to get a bit ahead of him.
It took a few minutes to cross the start - i didn't hear the gun. But it stayed pretty congested in the start so our first split i think was one of our slowest. In the first 5k it started to rain harder but thankfully there wasn't much wind. There's not much to look at in the first part of the run and i was mostly focused on not running through puddles. As were many people which was a bit of a hazard with people zigzagging or sometimes slowing suddenly.
One of my fastest splits was shortly after the 10k mark when we were passing a highway off-ramp. A fire truck was screaming off and then it came through where us runners were and everyone dashed out of the way quite quickly. (The road was divided by a median so the truck didn't go into on-coming traffic)
By the time we got to the hilly section after km 18 i was feeling the run quite alot in my quads and was playing that mental game of convincing myself to keep on even though i knew the hardest part of the course was to come. Around this point i opened gel and took little bits in part to distract myself. And the rain stopped.
The hills were brutal on my legs. I could feel it from my calves right through to my glutes and i was wondering how in the world i was going to make it through the big hill but i promised myself i would run the whole hill. I did. No matter that it was tough.
My legs were really unhappy with the last three kms. I felt really sluggish even though i was maintainingthe pace. I crossed the finish line with my garmin reading 2:47:06 but my official time says 2:46:59. I am extremely happy with that!!

Not sure. Overall it was a great run but for me running at that high of intensity for so long is a new thing so i just need the mental games to pull me through.

None. Good my post-race food and medal. headed to the stands where i downed half a protein bar. After a few minutes we went up for a stretch and then to change into dry clothes.


Leg strength. My muscles gave out much faster than my cardiovascular system.


A challenging course. It has a lot of history and traditions that have developed over time. Well worth the run!!